Home United coach Aidil Sharin refused to blame his players, despite letting slip a two-goal lead for the second time in three S.League matches on Saturday night.
The Protectors were cruising towards a comfortable 2-0 victory over Warriors FC at Choa Chu Kang Stadium until a late brace from national captain Shahril Ishak turned the game on its head in the last 10 minutes.
The 2-2 draw saw third-placed Home slip five points behind leaders Albirex Niigata (S), although they do have a game in hand. Warriors are in second spot, two points off the pace.
Home United were backing up after an AFC Cup game against Myanmar's Yadanarbon FC on Tuesday night.
"Let's not forget the boys have been playing so many games this month. We just had two days of recovery from a very hard AFC Cup game," Home coach Aidil Sharin said.
"Definitely you can see injuries, some players are out. It's not going to be easy this season with this schedule, but that's our challenge."
Aidil said the turning point of the match was when Warriors FC were awarded a penalty in the 81st minute when Home led 2-0 after Afiq Yunos felled Shahril. It started a collapse reminiscent of their failure to protect a 2-0 lead against Albirex Niigata (S) on April 1 when they conceded an 88th-minute equaliser.
"After the penalty, the boys' heads went down," he said. "I'm not sure why. I don't want to comment about ref's decision. Of course, when they have one goal for them, second is either do-or-die so they put a lot of men up front although they are 10 men."
Warriors coach Razif Onn praised the spirit of his players who were able to come back, despite a 70th-minute red card to Hafiz Osman.
"We didn't play well in the first half and mid of second half," Razif said. "We start to make changes, put Fazli Jaffar in. You can see a lot of crosses start to come in, that will help threaten the Home defence more. It's a good cross from him for the second goal.
"To come back with 10 men in the last few minutes, it's a strong feeling for the players. It shows that results come when everyone work together."
Warriors also showed a never-say-die spirit on April 8 when they scored three times in the last eight minutes to complete a 4-3 comeback win over Garena Young Lions.
Warriors' next S.League action will come away to Albirex Niigata (S) on April 29, while Home United host Geylang International one day earlier.